Nuts act as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory food.
Antioxidants are scavengers of free radicals that assist in capturing and neutralizing very reactive molecules before they can harm cells’ DNA and start the cancer process.
Anti-inflammatory substances prevent the production of free radicals and block the cell signals that encourage the growth of cancer.
Nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, and pine nuts contain alpha-tocopherol. It is a kind of vitamin E with antioxidant qualities.
Nuts and dry fruits that have cancer preventing properties
Tocotrienols and gamma-tocopherol, two additional forms of vitamin E found in walnuts, pistachios, and pecans that may offer more potent anti-inflammatory benefits than alpha-tocopherol. Gamma-tocopherol has been shown in animal experiments to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
These dried fruits, which are high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, have strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, which are important factors in the development of cancer. In addition to these potent anticancer agents, dried fruits are also rich in other phytochemicals such as terpenes, anthocyanin, coumarins, xanthones, carotenoids, and other phytochemicals.
1. Walnuts
All nuts seem to have anti-cancer qualities, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, although walnuts have been the subject of more research than other varieties. A compound found in walnuts called pedunculagin is converted by the body into urolithins. Compounds called urolithins attach to estrogen receptors and may help prevent breast cancer.
2. Raisins
Dried grapes are called raisins. It is discovered that raisins have more phenolics than fresh grapes. Furthermore, raisins have superior radical scavenging properties in comparison. Eating raisins on a daily basis is linked to a reduction in the excretion of prostaglandin (PG) metabolites in urine, which are recognized indicators of inflammation and oxidative damage. Thus, it may be concluded that raisins slow down the growth of several cancer cell types. Raisins also aid in lowering cancer-blooming enzyme levels and suppressing cell division.
3. Prunes
Dried plums, or prunes, are a well-known fruit in western Asia. Compared to plums, these dried fruits have much stronger antioxidant activity. Prunes also include alkaloids of β-carboline and phenolic substances. This dried fruit has a significant protective effect against stomach and colorectal cancer cell lines.
4. Figs
Packed full of fiber, organic acids, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols. Compared to the fruits, there are more of the phytochemicals that present dried figs. Because of this, these dried figs have great chemopreventive properties.